Can You Identify the Early Signs of Hearing Loss?
Posted by A-Plus Hearing Aid Centers on August 02, 2013

Seven to 10 is the average number of YEARS it takes a person to admit to a hearing loss and seek professional help. A person usually acquires habits that help adapt to the hearing loss during that time. Adaptations can be mental, such as the brain changing how it understands sound to accommodate the loss, and can also be physical. The physical habits from hearing loss sufferers are usually more obvious to friends and family.

A person suffering with hearing loss will often turn the volume up high when watching television or listening to the radio. The sound levels will seem normal to the person with hearing loss, but other people in the room will notice it's significantly louder. They may ask multiple times to repeat yourself saying "What?" or "Say that again" in both one-on-one conversations and especially over the phone. Another telltale sign of hearing loss is the person appears to strain their ears to listen by tilting their head to one side, bringing the better ear closer to the conversation.

The hearing loss sufferer may say they are experiencing ringing in the ears. You may notice that person disengaging from social events they used to love because it’s difficult understanding conversations in loud, crowded environments. In particular, they might tell you hearing women and children is especially difficult. This is quite common because women and children's voices register in the higher decibel range; often the first levels to be lost.

If you have a friend or family member that you believe has a hearing loss, please call us or submit your information on our Contact Us page for more information or to schedule a free hearing evaluation.